kishkashta

Arriving in Anchorage Sep 25 and will rent a car.
Looking for a long weekend itineraries.
Hoping to include Denali, Seward, Kenai, some hiking, kayaking, a short cruise...

Flying back Monday morning.
Thanks

Gardyloo

Access to the interior of Denali Park will be unavailable, so I'd focus on Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Look at glacier cruises out of Whittier, head to Seward and take a Kenai Fjords cruise. There are numerous hikes around Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Hope, Seward, and farther down the peninsula.

Don't expect the weather to be summery - you'll be in the thick of autumn, probably with "termination dust" on the mountaintops, if not farther down.

Cheshirecatt

There is also rafting options on Kenai River in Cooper Landing. It seems not a lot of people go there - but the river is stunning. My pics of Kenai River are in my Alaskan Roadtrip Article at www.dreamhorsemedia.com/travel

Definitely lots of hiking, cruise and kayaking options around Seward and Whittier. Obviously you would need to do the full day Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Cruise - teeming with marine wildlife.

I believe kayaking around Blackstone Bay is awesome. I didn't get a chance to do it, but intend to do it when I return to Alaska.

kishkashta

Thank you.
Any recommendations on where to stay around Seward / Whittier? B&B / cabins?
I will spend 2 nights in that area.
Also is it necessary to book a group hike to Exit Glacier?

Thanks

Cheshirecatt

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Seward purely because it was right on the harbour and walking distance to Kenai Fjords Tour boats, restaurants etc. The spa was nice at night too.

You don't need to book a tour to hike to Exit Glacier. We just drove to the parking area, and hiked ourselves - it was fun!